Geography

This assessment requires the students to write an essay on the critical geographical analysis of colonization and its relationship with Neo-colonization. Throughout the essay, you must answer the following questions:  

1. The physical geography of a region impacts the interaction of such region with other populations, countries, foreigners, and so on. How did the physical geography of a region prompt its colonization? Exemplify your answer through any of these options: 
   1. • Describing the similarities between the Caribbean and the Indonesian patterns of colonization.  
   • • Describing the similarities between the African and China’s patterns of colonization. 
2. By the mid-1800s, Europe and its colonies and ex-colonies covered just over half the land surface of the world. By 1914 this proportion had increased to nearly 85%, including the US overseas dependencies.  Creating “spheres of influence” was one way the Western countries gained and controlled territories during the colonial period. Explain what are spheres of influence? How did the spheres of influence operate? Exemplify your answer through the explanation of China’s colonial penetration.
3. Analyzing China’s current involvement with African or Southeast Asian countries explain Neo-colonialism and how globalization prompts it. What is Neo-colonialism? What are the similarities and differences between colonialism and Neo-colonialism? (Tip: Define the patterns of colonialism and compare them with Neo-colonialism.) Why do China is currently interested in Africa or Southeast Asia? What patterns of colonization are replicating China in Africa or Southeast Asia? Is China creating “spheres of influence” likewise the Western colonial period?  

Please note that you need to base the opinions you offer on a) an accurate understanding of the ideas you discuss and b) solid reasoning of your own. Your opinions will only have value if they are based on accurate and thoughtful analysis and evaluation of the texts you consider. The study guides provided through Canvas have references useful for writing your assignment, however, you can use outside source material.    

1. List your references/bibliography on a separate page, it does not count as part of the number of pages required. Use APA style for citations (http://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/general (Links to an external site.)). Citations to materials from the course (see your study guides) or otherwise should be included parenthetically with author and page number within your paper, e.g., (Connor, 254). 
2. Citations from course and non-course materials should also be listed with full citation information in a reference/bibliography list at the end of your paper. If the reference information is not listed, you will not get credit for the citation.